Mastodon Once More ‘Round The Sun Warner Bros. Records [2014] Fire Note Says: Mastodon ditch their space-time distortion with one of their most straight forward yet. Album Review: It‘s a heady question to ask, but how does one innovate in the metal genre today? Do you drop tuning deeper, play slower, or maybe even faster? … Read more
The Cleaners From Venus Volume 3 (Box Set) Captured Tracks [2014] Fire Note Says: The third box set from The Cleaners From Venus is far and away the best one yet, and absolutely essential listening. Album Review: Captured Tracks has now released their third box set from The Cleaners From Venus, the legendary lo-fi 80s … Read more
The Donkeys Ride The Black Wave Easy Sound Recording Co. [2014] Fire Note Says: The Donkey’s fourth album is a great summer record with subtle nods to the past. Album Review: The dog days of summer are upon us, which—if you’re like me—means a shift towards listening to some warm, sunny music to go along … Read more
The Estranged The Estranged Dirtnap Records [2014] Fire Note Says: The Estranged create a burning intensity within every track. Album Review: Typically when you pick up a Dritnap Records release you sort of know that you are in for some type of punk rock outing. For that reason, Portland’s The Estranged will come at you … Read more
The Safes Record Heat Wee Rock Records [2014] Fire Note Says: Chicago’s The Safes offer up a modern flare on some very classic sounds! Album Review: Everyone around TFN has certain labels they always enjoy and one of mine is Springfield, Missouri’s Wee Rock Records. They are a DIY, vinyl loving label that is all … Read more
How To Dress Well What Is This Heart? Weird World Recording Co. [2014] Fire Note Says: How To Dress Well strikes again with another soulful release. Album Review: The cover of How To Dress Well’s sophomore LP, What Is This Heart?, is simply a close-up photo portrait of Tom Krell, the man behind How To … Read more
Circulatory System Mosaics Within Mosaics Cloud Recordings [2014] Fire Note Says: 60’s pop melodies and wild psychedelic excursions woven together to create a giant sonic tapestry. Album Review: It’s impossible to overstate the importance of the Elephant 6 Collective and the impact that it had on rock music, and in fact, the influence it still … Read more
††† (Crosses) ††† Sumerian Records [2014] Fire Note Says: ††† debut has both highs and lows. Album Review: ††† is the combination of the Deftones lead man Chino Moreno, Far guitarist Shaun Lopez, and Chuck Doom. If you’re familiar with the Deftones, ††† is a slightly more subdued, industrial style of music. I was most … Read more
Parquet Courts Sunbathing Animal What’s Your Rupture? / Mom & Pop Music [2014] Fire Note Says: Parquet Courts are the current New York City sound. Album Review: Sometimes it is hard to explain why an album puts up a roadblock but that is exactly what happened to me on the third record from breakout band … Read more
Brody Dalle Diploid Love Caroline Records [2014] Fire Note Says: Ex-punk Brody Dalle returns with a matured rock sound. Album Review: It is crazy how time flies and to realize that Brody Dalle has been in the music scene since her self-titled Distillers debut back in 2000 which was on Hellcat/Epitaph Records. It is also … Read more
The Antlers Familiars ANTI- [2014] Fire Note Says: The Antlers’ Familiars is another beautiful, thought provoking experience. Album Review: The Antlers’ fifth studio album, Familiars, continues with the band’s moody, dreamy musings. The Brooklyn-based band, led by Peter Silberman with support from Michael Lerner and Darby Cicci, has often dealt with deep, heavy themes in … Read more
Howler World Of Joy Rough Trade Records [2014] Fire Note Says: Former buzz band takes a solid step forward from their debut on World of Joy. Album Review: Howler was a bit of a buzz band a few years ago when their debut album America Give Up was released. It was a tasty slice of … Read more
Peter Bradley Adams The Mighty Storm I Me Mine Records [2014] Fire Note Says: Peter Bradley Adams offers up 10 tracks of Dylan-tinged folk pop. Album Review: Recorded in Nashville with several multi-instrumentalists/producers, Peter Bradley Adams’ fifth album The Mighty Storm doesn’t exactly sound the way its title would suggest. Over its forty-five minute span, … Read more
Owen Pallett In Conflict Domino Records [2014] Fire Note Says: Owen Pallett makes an interesting and at times profound statement with In Conflict. Album Review: Owen Pallett’s fourth album (and second under his actual name) is a challenge. Pallett has a vision for In Conflict that didn’t cater to this listener at first. Quite honestly, … Read more
First Aid Kit Stay Gold Columbia Records [2014] Fire Note Says: First Aid Kit have matured beyond their young years. Album Review: Hands down, First Aid Kit’s sisters, Klara and Johanna Söderberg, have one of the most addictive harmonizing vocals in the music scene right now. You may have already heard their impact on Conor … Read more
Cretin Stompers Looking Forward To Being Attacked HoZac Records [2014] Fire Note Says: Cretin Stompers bring both the rock and the weird on their debut album. Album Review: Cretin Stompers have quite an impressive pedigree, featuring ex members of Jay Reatard’s band, Wavves, Barbaras, and the one and only Big Muff Radio, (who I am … Read more
Heavens To Betsy Calculated Kill Rock Stars [2014] Fire Note Says: Heavens To Betsy‘s anger couldn‘t be more captivating on Calculated. Album Review: When people hear the name Corin Tucker they should get excited—if they don’t, shame on them. A prominent figure in music from the 90’s through today, Corin Tucker has made her waves … Read more
White Lung Deep Fantasy Domino Records [2014] Fire Note Says: White Lung bring forward their hard hitting sound. Album Review: If Vancouver’s White Lung have not been on your radar then here is your wake up call. The band’s third LP, Deep Fantasy, is a rip roaring punk record that will easily remind you of … Read more
Sun Hoax Biome Digs EP / Full Joy EP Self-Released [2014] Fire Note Says: Sun Hoax is the latest offering from lo-fi auteur Dean Wells. Album Review: Dean Wells is the lo-fi wizard behind The Capstan Shafts, and if you haven’t heard any of their recordings, I’m going to need you to rectify that as … Read more
Beach Slang Who Would Ever Want Anything So Broken? EP Dead Broke Rekerds [2014] Fire Note Says: Beach Slang bring back a glorious 90’s sound. Album Review: Philadelphia’s Beach Slang are a supergroup of sorts of an older indie scene. The three piece features James Snyder of Weston, JP Flexner of Ex-Friends and Ed McNulty, … Read more
Greys If Anything Carpark Records [2014] Fire Note Says: Greys’ debut LP bridges a gap between genres and offers a refreshing blend of heavy noise rock with pop sensibility. Album Review: Last years’ Greys 7” Drift was one of my favorite 7” releases for 2013. A really heavy noise rocker. I enjoyed it so much; … Read more
Jack White Lazaretto Third Man/Columbia Records [2014] Fire Note Says: Does Jack White‘s Blunderbuss follow up deserve the same praise? Album Review: If you know anything about The Fire Note, it’s that most of us here are Jack White fans. Whether it’s subscribing to his record vault, traveling to his home base Third Man Record … Read more
The Pains of Being Pure at Heart Days of Abandon Yebo Music [2014] Fire Note Says: The Pains of Being Pure at Heart is a bit too pure this time around. Album Review: Sometimes an album’s beginning betrays its overall essence. Sometimes it sets the tone, even if that tone was not what you wanted … Read more
Lee Bains III & The Glory Fires Dereconstructed Sub Pop Records [2014] Fire Note Says: Lee Bains III & The Glory Fires sing it proud and rock it loud on Dereconstructed. Album Review: When I first heard Lee Bains III & The Glory Fires it was on the excellent Alive at The Deep Blues Fest. … Read more
Death Cab For Cutie Live 2012 (Featuring Magik*Magik Orchestra) Barsuk Records [2014] Fire Note Says: A solid set list and effective orchestration makes Live 2012 worth hearing. Album Review: While their studio albums have always been produced in ways that are sympathetic to their half-somber/half-optimistic indie-emo stylings, Death Cab For Cutie have never been a … Read more